Luke 12:42
And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κύριος
his lord
G2962
κύριος
his lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
4 of 26
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
Τίς
Who
G5101
Τίς
Who
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
5 of 26
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πιστὸς
that faithful
G4103
πιστὸς
that faithful
Strong's:
G4103
Word #:
9 of 26
objectively, trustworthy; subjectively, trustful
οἰκονόμος
steward
G3623
οἰκονόμος
steward
Strong's:
G3623
Word #:
10 of 26
a house-distributor (i.e., manager), or overseer, i.e., an employee in that capacity; by extension, a fiscal agent (treasurer); figuratively, a preach
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
φρόνιμος
wise
G5429
φρόνιμος
wise
Strong's:
G5429
Word #:
12 of 26
thoughtful, i.e., sagacious or discreet (implying a cautious character; while g4680 denotes practical skill or acumen; and g4908 indicates rather inte
ὃν
whom
G3739
ὃν
whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
13 of 26
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
καταστήσει
shall make ruler
G2525
καταστήσει
shall make ruler
Strong's:
G2525
Word #:
14 of 26
to place down (permanently), i.e., (figuratively) to designate, constitute, convoy
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κύριος
his lord
G2962
κύριος
his lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
16 of 26
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
ἐπὶ
over
G1909
ἐπὶ
over
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
17 of 26
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεραπείας
household
G2322
θεραπείας
household
Strong's:
G2322
Word #:
19 of 26
attendance (specially, medical, i.e., cure); figuratively and collectively, domestics
αὐτοῦ
G846
αὐτοῦ
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
20 of 26
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
διδόναι
to give
G1325
διδόναι
to give
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
22 of 26
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
Cross References
Hebrews 13:17Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.Hebrews 13:7Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.Acts 20:28Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.Matthew 20:8So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.1 Timothy 5:17Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.1 Peter 4:10As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.Titus 1:7For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;2 Timothy 4:2Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
Historical Context
Large estates in the Roman world employed stewards (oikonomoi) who managed households, supervised servants, and distributed provisions. These stewards held significant authority and responsibility, though they themselves were servants accountable to the master. Paul uses this imagery repeatedly (1 Corinthians 4:1-2, Titus 1:7), describing Christian ministers as stewards of God's mysteries. The early church applied this teaching to pastoral oversight—elders were stewards responsible for feeding the flock with sound doctrine and ensuring each member received proper spiritual nourishment.
Questions for Reflection
- What does faithful and wise stewardship look like for Christian leaders entrusted with feeding God's household?
- How does the imagery of giving proper portions at proper times apply to pastoral teaching and care?
- In what ways are all believers stewards of resources, gifts, and knowledge entrusted by God?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward (εἶπεν δὲ ὁ κύριος, Τίς ἄρα ἐστὶν ὁ πιστὸς οἰκονόμος ὁ φρόνιμος, eipen de ho kyrios, Tis ara estin ho pistos oikonomos ho phronimos)—Instead of directly answering Peter's question, Jesus poses a rhetorical question that applies to both leaders and all believers. The interrogative tis (τίς, who) challenges hearers to self-examination. The adjectives pistos (πιστός, faithful, trustworthy) and phronimos (φρόνιμος, wise, prudent, sensible) describe the ideal steward. Oikonomos (οἰκονόμος) means household manager or steward—one entrusted with managing another's property.
Whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? (ὃν καταστήσει ὁ κύριος ἐπὶ τῆς θεραπείας αὐτοῦ τοῦ διδόναι ἐν καιρῷ τὸ σιτομέτριον; hon katastēsei ho kyrios epi tēs therapeias autou tou didonai en kairō to sitometrion?)—The relative clause describes the steward's appointment and responsibility. The verb kathistēmi (καθίστημι, make ruler, appoint) indicates delegated authority. The noun therapeia (θεραπεία) means household servants or staff; sitometrion (σιτομέτριον) means food ration or portion of grain. The phrase en kairō (ἐν καιρῷ, in due season, at the proper time) emphasizes timely, appropriate provision. The steward's task: faithfully distribute resources at the right time to those under his care. This pictures Christian leaders feeding God's flock with spiritual truth (John 21:15-17, 1 Peter 5:2).